(Letter to the Editor - Graphic Illustration/MetroCreativeConnection)

After my previous letter to the editor trying to plead our case to the PM Company, much more information has been uncovered.

I now understand why they kept it under wraps as long as they did. The first tenant to invade our Washington Bottom Residential area (that they were not at liberty to disclose in our first meeting), is the Toll Compaction Group.

We now know, if the PMC website is correct, that this company currently operates and leases a property from PMC in Belpre, at 721 Farson St., located beside the Marietta Memorial Hospital.

Their description is that they are a “manufacturer of powdered chemicals, polymer additives, nutritional products, and functional foods.”

I read a few employee reviews online from people that had worked there and they stated the worst part of the job was dealing with chemicals…” bad chemicals.”

This is what they are permanently placing in our back yard. The Toll Compaction building had a significant fire last year on September 10, 2021. The fumes from this fire were significant as well. The fire was bad enough that other local volunteer fire departments were called out for backup.

Previously, in 2016, another large fire occurred and was covered by our local news. We have been told that the agent fueling these fires is no longer in use. This makes no difference. The potential for fire still exists.

Who knows how many other fires have taken place at this location. I request that a complete list of chemicals and products with their MSDS’s are made available to our community, as well as that same list from every other potential tenant to permanently move into our area against our will.

Do we not have the right to know? Wouldn’t you want to know, if they were moving permanently in your back yard, let alone planting it directly beside a place of worship?

My heart breaks for the Washington Methodist Church. I ask all readers to drive by Toll Corporation located by MMH Campus in Belpre. I was shocked to see it for myself. You will then understand exactly why we do NOT welcome this facility.

Seeing it with your own eyes will speak for itself. I question the motive to move Toll compaction from Farson Street. Is Marietta purchasing this property from PMC to further expand their project at that location? I guess time will tell.

PMC is also putting in what they call a retention pond for “storm water run off.” Everyone knows the potential danger of chemicals seeping into the ground. How can we be assured that regulations will be followed? How can we be guaranteed that chemicals won’t cause contamination and pollution to our air and water? Do we not deserve the right to protect ourselves from this concerning possibility?

It appears we have no say at all. I am pleading to Toll to not sign that contract! You have time to back out! Find another area that is NOT residential! Demand it!

To the family members and employees involved in the construction of this Industrial Park, implore the family to honor their Fathers word.

He said he would never do this to our community. That this property would NEVER be anything but RESIDENTIAL.

Actions speak louder than words. Please do the right thing here. Do unto others as you would want them to do unto you. Let people see that you truly do care about the people of Wood County.

Study the history of our land. Learn the history of George Washington and the land that was named “Washington Bottom.” Drive by our historic renovated cabin commemorating that history.

Study the paths of the Indians and the two Indian burial mounds located on the property they are destroying.

Please help us keep them protected and preserved. I am pleading…..sell this property to a housing development group, or possibly turn this property into a beautiful park.

Keep our community what it was intended and promised to be. RESIDENTIAL! NOT INDUSTRIAL!

Kim Burdette

Washington